US Air Force unveils new bomber worth $700 million
Published on Dec 05, 2022 at 1:38 PM (UTC+4)
by Kate Bain
Last updated on Dec 05, 2022 at 1:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The US Air Force has unveiled its newest bomber, the B-21.
The B-21 Raider is the first new bomber unveiled by the US Air Force in more than 30 years.
It’s packed with technology and is reportedly worth $700 million.
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The B-21 Raider was officially unveiled at a ceremony on Friday hosted by the manufacturer; Northrop Grumman.
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said the bomber was significantly more advanced than anything currently in the US Air Force (USAF) fleet.
“Fifty years of advances in low-observable technology have gone into this aircraft,” he said.
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Austin said it was “not just another airplane” and “not just another acquisition”.
“It’s the embodiment of America’s determination to defend the republic that we all love. It’s a testament to our strategy of deterrence—with the capabilities to back it up, every time and everywhere,” he said.
B-21 Raider will be the ‘backbone of the fleet’
The US Air Force describes the aircraft as a highly survivable stealth bomber capable of delivering “a mix of conventional and nuclear munitions”.
The US Air Force says the B-21 Raider will form the backbone of the fleet.
Northrop Grumman President Kathy Warden says the aircraft has been designed for the force’s most complex missions.
“The B-21 Raider defines a new era in technology and strengthens America’s role of delivering peace through deterrence,” she said.
During the ceremony, she said the aircraft was also “provisioned for the possibility” of flying without a crew on board.
B-21 Raider aircraft
The manufacturer is currently producing six planes for the USAF but the Air Force has reportedly committed to introducing 100 B-21 planes to its fleet.
The bomber will gradually replace the aging B1-Lancer and B-2 Spirit bombers that are currently in service.
The B-21 Raider is named in honor of the Doolittle Raids of World War II.
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Kate is Lead Editor, overseeing coverage across automotive, tech, and lifestyle content on the site. She has more than 10 years’ experience as a journalist and news editor, having worked across a range of major publications including News Corp, Daily Mail Australia, and Sky News. Kate holds a Bachelor of Business Management from University of Queensland and a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from Queensland University of Technology. She has been with Supercar Blondie since 2020 and played a key role in establishing supercarblondie.com as a leading automotive news destination.
